Organic management and conversion – Wales

Funding for organic in Wales

The Welsh Government published initial details on 17th January 2024 of the financial support available to organic farmers in Wales in 2024. 

The Organic Support Payment 2024 is intended to bridge the gap between the ending of Glastir Organic contracts in 2023 and the introduction of the Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2025. 

A detailed breakdown of the scheme can be found on the Welsh Government website Rural Grants pages. 

Eligibility and how to apply

 

1. Eligibility

   Eligibility

   The Payment is open to existing organic agricultural producers. All land entered as part of a claim for Organic Support must be continuously certified with an Organic Control Body (OCB) for the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

   Farmers must be:

   • Registered with the Welsh Government and hold a Customer Reference Number (CRN)
   • Carrying out the primary production of agricultural products on at least 3ha of agricultural land registered with RPW in Wales, or involving over 55 standard labour hours
   • Claiming on whole field parcels of land in Wales and certified fully organic by an Organic Control Body
   • Able to demonstrate full management control of the land for the claim period

   Exclusions apply to land not certified as fully organic, land in conversion, part-field parcels, common land where there are multiple registered graziers and to groups of farmers and equine and forestry customers.

2. Application process

   Application Process

   Applications for the Payment will be made through the Single Application Form (SAF), due for submission by 15th May 2024. Payments will be made by the end of 2024, similar to the timeframe of the previous Glastir Organic scheme. Payment will be available to all fully-certified organic applicants, not only those who were part of the previous Glastir Organic Scheme.

    

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The financial benefits of organic farming

The UK organic market has seen twelve years of consecutive growth. And with funding available for organic production, there are opportunities for farmers to certify and convert to organic.  

 The Soil Association 2021, ‘Does it stack up?’ report found that net farm income is typically higher on most organic farm types when compared to non-organic due to reduced input costs and enhanced financial support.  

We recommend organic farmers to consider their routes-to-market when planning to convert their farm to organic.  

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• Business support for farmers

 Organic Support 2024 payment rates (per hectare)  

Support will be available on all land certified as fully organic under the following categories: 

Horticulture Land used for horticultural production in 2024, with horticultural crops to be sold. Fodder crops not eligible. £300/ha

Enclosed land Grassland and arable fields. Predominantly productive grassland. £45/ha

Enclosed land with a dairy enterprise Predominantly grassland, both permanent and within rotation. Applicable only to land which supports a dairy enterprise. Established by allocating land according to dairy livestock stocking density (1.3LU/ha). Dairy youngstock and dairy sheep and goats included. £115/ha

Land above the upper limit of enclosure Land above the upper limit of enclosure is defined as land above the agricultural enclosure and is characterised by its open nature and has received limited agricultural improvement. (As identified on Data Map Wales). Includes common land used for grazing with sole registered grazier, field parcels with 50% or cover of grazed blanket bog, coastal heath, lowland heath and saltmarsh and predominately extensive upland livestock systems with low stocking densities. £9/ha 

 

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 Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) consultation

In recent weeks Welsh Government consulted organic control bodies and representatives of the Welsh Organic Forum on an outline of Organic Support 2024. 

Whilst the payment rates are lower than previous schemes, we’re encouraged that financial support for organic farmers has been reinstated. This offers vital support to the sector and establishes a clear precedent for the Sustainable Farming Scheme, currently undergoing final consultation. 

Soil Association Cymru will be submitting a response to the SFS consultation, Sustainable Farming Scheme | GOV.WALES calling for specific support for organic farming to be available from 2025. We'll also provide farmers and supporters with briefings and guidance to help them respond to the consultation directly. 

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• Get help certifying your farm to organic

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Interested in going organic but not sure where to begin?

Funding for this year is now closed but if you are still interested in converting your farm please get in touch.

Our expert farming certification team can talk you through how organic conversion and certification could work on your farm.

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